Latest KFF Health News Stories
In Effort To Curb Opioid Overdose Pandemic, One Boston Clinic Takes Unconventional Approach
On Tuesday, Boston Health Care for the Homeless will open a room where drug users can ride out their highs under medical supervision. “When you initially hear we’re going to cooperate with someone using heroin, it might be a little shock to the system,” said former state senator Steven Tolman. “But with the level of pandemic we’re dealing with … any effort to get this problem under control is a worthwhile experiment.”
The legislation would threaten the license of any doctor who performs an abortion except when the procedure is necessary to protect the life of the mother. In other news, Iowa’s governor calls the legislature’s move to ban Planned Parenthood funding a “reasonable proposal,” and a new report finds that AmeriCorps “abortion doulas” were in violation of federal law.
N.Y.C. Hospitals Targeted For Overhaul
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is seeking $2 billion in his budget as part of a plan to restructure the city’s hospitals. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare explores some of the difficulties that stem from hospital-system mergers. Also, Georgia Health News reports on how the state’s hospital safety rankings have gone done. News outlets also report on hospital-related developments in Kansas and California.
Under the agreement, the attorney general’s office will end investigations it began last year into the insurers’ coverage of the $94,500 treatment. Meanwhile, the state has also informed insurers that they will have to start paying for depression screening of pregnant women and new mothers.
Joseph Papa Named As New Valeant CEO
Joseph Papa, who will take over from J. Michael Pearson, is joining the company in a time of turmoil, after investigations into its drug-pricing and accounting practices sent its stocks tumbling.
High Court Justices Wrestle With Issues In Patent Case Backed By Drug Makers
The four liberal justices, joined at times by Justice Anthony Kennedy, sounded skeptical toward arguments in the case that centers around the question: What standard for interpreting patents should be used in new reviews created by Congress in 2011?
Two Louisiana Hospitals Question Projected Medicaid Expansion Savings
Meanwhile, insurer Centene Corp. reports an increase in quarterly revenue of nearly 36 percent, helped by higher Medicaid enrollment rates.
After Serious Losses On Marketplaces, Some Insurers Likely To Sharply Raise Premiums
Some of the companies priced their plans too low in the early years of the health marketplaces. In other news, a preview of the possible fallout for insurers if a court rules against the Obama administration on cost sharing subsidies, several outlets look at UnitedHealth’s pullback and California lawmakers weigh a measure to allow immigrants in the country illegally to buy coverage on the state marketplace.
Despite Pleas From Patients, FDA Panel Votes Against Drug For Muscular Dystrophy
The panel members said the trial was not well-controlled, noting that it only involved 12 patients without an adequate placebo control.
CMS’ Sweeping Medicaid Managed Care Rules Set New Quality Standards
The long-awaited regulation, the biggest for Medicaid managed care in a decade, changes many aspects of how large insurance contractors who administer care for some of the most vulnerable patients.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Extending Sanders’ Health Mission; The Future Of Single-Payer?
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
News outlets report on health issues in Texas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington, New Hampshire and Missouri.
Only 6 Southeast Michigan Hospitals Get ‘A’ Grades For Patient Safety
However, some urge caution when using ratings from the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit watchdog, that judge the quality of the facilities. Media outlets also offer hospital coverage from Florida, Virginia, New Hampshire, California and Texas.
Experts Hammer Home Importance Of Treatment And Education At Hearing On Opioid Crisis
At a hearing in Ohio hosted by the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, law enforcement officials and experts spoke about ways of addressing and curbing the epidemic that is gripping the state and the rest of the country. “We cannot arrest our way out of this problem,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. In other news, a Missouri lawmaker threatens to filibuster a bill establishing a prescription drug monitoring program, and a Detroit man is recognized for his drug recovery program.
Health Officials Release Guidelines For Employers In Effort To Protect Workers From Zika
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued the rules on Friday, which include providing insect repellent to employees, urging them to wear protective clothing, and allowing flexibility in travel to Zika-affected areas. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell will travel to Puerto Rico to talk about the virus.
The Shifting Definition Of Healthy Eating
Foods with fat and salt may not be as bad as once thought — and businesses are pivoting to keep up. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders opposes a soda tax, saying it hurts poor families.
Under Okla. Bill Sent To Governor, Doctors Could Lose License For Performing An Abortion
Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican, has not indicated if she will sign the legislation, which critics call unconstitutional. Elsewhere, Missouri lawmakers are blocking federal funds to Planned Parenthood, and anti-abortion activists protest in Virginia and California.
States Filling In Gaps In Veterans’ Mental Health Care
Several states are moving legislation and introducing PTSD programs to target what they see as holes in the care offered by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. In other news, lawmakers and veterans are speaking up about the dangers of the military’s “burn pits.”
Patients, Advocates To Flood FDA Panel Hearing On Experimental Muscular Dystrophy Treatment
The panel will hear from scientists and patients alike on Monday as it decides whether to recommend that the FDA approve the drug, called eteplirsen. More than 800 patient advocates have registered to appear, making it among the best attended FDA advisory committee meetings in history.
